SETI League Press Release
LITTLE FERRY, NJ.., December 14, 1996 -- The non-profit SETI League, Inc., leaders in a scientific Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, has received a generous donation of microelectronic components from Merrimac Industries of West Caldwell, NJ. The components will be used in The SETI League's microwave circuit design laboratory, which was established in January thanks to an equipment grant from the same company. The non-profit educational and scientific group is performing a search for radio signals of possible intelligent extra-terrestrial origin.
The parts contribution was spearheaded by the late Vern Riportella, a Merrimac employee who had been a lifelong amateur radio operator. Former president of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), Riportella, who passed away suddenly in September, was a staunch SETI supporter. "It is a tribute to Riportella's vision," notes SETI League executive director Dr. H. Paul Shuch, "that one of his last acts on this world was to help us to reach out to other worlds. Rip was a personal friend to me, and Merrimac has certainly been a great friend to SETI. We hope our research activities will prove an adequate legacy." Merrimac president Eugene W. Niemiec, who was an honored guest at ceremonies marking the launch of the science group's global search in April, has pledged Merrimac's continued support of The SETI League.
SETI scientists seek to determine through microwave and optical measurements whether humankind is alone in the universe. Since Congress terminated NASA's SETI funding in 1993, The SETI League and other scientific groups have been attempting to privatize the research. Experimenters interested in participating in the search for intelligent alien life, or citizens wishing to help support it, should email to join_at_setileague_dot_org, check the SETI League Web site at http://www.setileague.org/, send a fax to +1 (201) 641-1771, or contact The SETI League, Inc. membership hotline at +1 (800) TAU-SETI. Be sure to provide us with a postal address to which we will mail further information. The SETI League, Inc. is a membership-supported, non-profit [501(c)(3)], educational and scientific corporation dedicated to the electromagnetic Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.
P.S. Tearsheets are always appreciated. Thank you.
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